HealthCall of Detroit

HealthCall Home Care is pleased to announce that, beginning January 2012, it will provide home health care services to residents of Leelanau County, Michigan.

HealthCall’s home health division services adult home-bound patients in need of short-term, intermittent care.  This care is delivered according to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) guidelines, with a focus on fostering patient independence.  HealthCall’s home health services include:

• Evaluating the home environment, including infection control and safety precautions;
• Providing post-operative care, wound care, and cast care;
• Providing:
  • Skilled, in-home nurse visits, including medication and disease process management, diabetes management, wound care, and fall prevention;
  • Physical therapy; and
  • Skilled aide care, including activities of daily living, ambulation, housekeeping, meal preparation, and medication reminders.

HealthCall is accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP), and all HealthCall cases are supervised by a Registered Nurse.  In addition, all HealthCall staff members are subject to a thorough background check, complete a detailed orientation program, and participate in ongoing training and assessments throughout the duration of their employment.

If you would like more information regarding our services in Leelanau County, please call: 1-800-991-9933.

HealthCall Home Care’s diabetic nurses are skilled in providing education and self care, nutrition, and medication to patients with both Type I and Type II diabetes.

Our diabetic nurses strive to:

• Teach the patient and family members tounderstand, accept, and carry out all procedures and activities necessary forthe diabetic patient to achieve optimum health and well-being, and
• Help the patient to gain independence and competency with all diabetes-related needs.

Additionally, our diabetic nurses can help patients
and family members to:

• Understand the medical and nursing regimens associated with diabetic management;
• Manage complex medical needs;
• Provide education regarding proper skin and foot care;
• Administer blood sugar testing;
• Monitor insulin use; and
• Record and evaluate blood sugar patterns.

HealthCall Home Care’s nurses also endeavor todevelop partnerships and open channels of communication with each patient’s physician.  For instance, abnormal blood glucose levels will be reported to the patient’s physician, and blood draws will be performed as ordered by the physician.

HealthCall Home Care offers 24-hour on call nursing services, and other home care services are also available, including Physical Therapy and Home Health Aide care.  If you would like additional information or you would like to refer a patient to HealthCall Home Care, please contact:

HealthCall Home Care
20755 Greenfield Road, Suite 1000P
Southfield, MI 48075
Phone: (800) 991-9933
Fax: (248) 395-3370

As a leader in home health care and private duty nursing services, HealthCall ensures that all staff members are qualified and knowledgeable regarding state-of-the-art care provision.  For nurses, a benefit of working with HealthCall is that we regularly offer ventilator courses as well as CPR certification training.  The ventilator course is especially informative for nurses in the home care setting, where they are relied upon for effective clinical management of the patient, which includes ventilator troubleshooting.  The course is taught by Respiratory Therapists and experienced nurse preceptors.  All instructors have extensive knowledge and experience in the field of home care of the child or adult who is ventilator-dependent.
Among other topics, the ventilator course includes:

• Pulmonary Assessment
• Tracheostomy Tubes
• Measures to maintain an airway, airway devices
• Measures to maintain adequate oxygenation and oxygen therapy
• Measures to maintain adequate ventilation
• Critical care: pulmonary section
• Pulse Oximetry ( SPO2 ) / Interpretation

Nurses also receive Continuing Education Credits for successfully completing this course.  Our ventilator and CPR courses are just another way that HealthCall continues to set itself apart in the home health and private duty nursing fields.  If you have questions regarding these courses or you are a HealthCall employee interested in participating in this training, please contact HealthCall’s Human Resources Department at (248) 395-3777, ext. 505.

There are seemingly endless home health options available to senior citizens today, making it challenging to determine what types of services are applicable to you or your loved one.  You may have heard of “home health care agencies” and “private duty nursing agencies,” but you may well be wondering where the distinction lies.  In short, Home Health Care is medically-focused care, which is covered by Medicare and other types of health insurance. To qualify, a person must be homebound, as that term is defined by Medicare.  “Homebound” means that due to your illness or injury, it takes a considerable taxing effort for you to leave your home and your absences are infrequent or of relatively short duration.  Additionally, Home Health Care must be prescribed by a doctor.  Medicare coverage is triggered only by the need for nursing or therapy services. When a patient qualifies for nursing or therapy in their home, he or she may also receive the assistance of a home health aide for non-medical services like bathing and dressing.  However, these non-medical services alone are not covered by Medicare. They must be provided in conjunction with the skilled visit to qualify for coverage.  The visits are intermittent (meaning usually a few times a week) and typically last one hour or less.  The duration of services is limited by Medicare.  If you believe you or your loved one may qualify for Home Health Care and you would like to speak with a Registered Nurse regarding services, please call HealthCall at 1-800-991-9933.

If you or your loved one do not qualify for Home Health Care, but still need assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, running errands, and light house-keeping, then Private Duty Nursing may be the answer for you.  Private Duty services are not limited by the rules of Medicare, as Medicare does not pay the bill. Private Duty services are paid for by the client, their family, their Trust Officer at the bank, or sometimes by a special kind of insurance called Long Term Care insurance.  You select the times and days you would like help (from a few hours per day to 24/7), and determine the duration of service – from a few days of recuperation to indefinitely.  At HealthCall, all Private Duty services are overseen by a Registered Nurse. HealthCall’s Private Duty Nursing agency is unique in that it also provides highly skilled services for ventilator-dependent patients, spinal cord and closed-head-injured patients, and patients in need of straight catheterization and bowel programs.  If you are interested in Private Duty Nursing Services, please call HealthCall at 1-800-991-9933.

HealthCall’s Home Health Care and Private Duty Nursing Agencies are both accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP).  Additionally, HealthCall Home Care delivers care according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) guidelines, with a focus on fostering patient independence.  Finally, all HealthCall staff members are subject to thorough background checks, complete a detailed orientation program, and participate in ongoing education and assessments throughout the duration of their employment.

As you research your home care options, be sure to ask the following important questions:

1. Is the agency accredited?
2. Does the agency conduct thorough background checks on all employees prior to hire? Does the agency require skill and competency testing of all employees prior to hire?
3. Has the agency been in business long enough to gain the experience required to meet your needs?
4. Are staff members available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week? Does the agency have a back-up plan if a scheduling problem arises?
5. Are registered nurses on call 24 hours per day, 7 days per week?
6. Does the agency provide continuing education and training for its clinical staff members?
7. Will the agency provide you with references from previous clients?
8. How quickly can the agency begin providing services?
9. Is the company insured and bonded? Are the employees covered by workman’s compensation insurance?
10. Will a registered nurse travel to the patient’s home and meet with the patient personally for the initial home assessment? Will that initial assessment be free of charge?

O’Neill Arena-Ryder Center ~ Friday, April 15, 2011, Noon – 3 p.m.

(Southfield, April 5, 2011) – HealthCall, a family-owned and operated home healthcare company based in Southfield, Michigan, today announced its planned expansion into Saginaw, Bay City, and Midland.  As part of that expansion, HealthCall will participate in the Saginaw Valley State University Employment & Networking Fair on Friday, April 15^th.  HealthCall is seeking qualified Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Physical Therapists, Certified Nurse Assistants, and Home Health Aides in the Tri-Cities region, particularly those with experience in home health care, pediatrics, geriatrics, or neurology.  HealthCall encourages qualified candidates to bring a current resume to its booth and speak with a company representative.

According to HealthCall’s Director of Nursing, April Whiteside, HealthCall brings a uniquely personal approach to home healthcare, “Because HealthCall is family owned and operated, we offer what I like to call the ‘HealthCall Advantage,’ the strength and reliability of a long-standing organization with the comfort of a family-like atmosphere.” Whiteside, who grew up in Saginaw, added, “As HealthCall clinicians, we pride ourselves on our professional patient care delivery and oversight, but along with that professional care we also provide the same personal attention and compassion to our clients that we would provide to our own family members.  In short, we are caring professionals.” HealthCall’s new service area will provide skilled nursing and therapy services to children and adults recovering from surgery or from injuries caused by automobile accidents or work-related incidents.  Additionally, HealthCall will offer home care services for seniors, Veterans, or any other persons who are homebound due to medical conditions. “HealthCall’s passionate clinicians and strong management team bring over 20 years’ experience and expertise to the home healthcare field.  Expanding our service area into Saginaw, Bay City, and Midland will allow more patients to successfully transition home and provide increased employment opportunities for professionals in the area,” said Joel Szirtes, HealthCall’s Chief Operating Officer.

As part of its pursuit to provide the highest quality services, support, and education to survivors of brain injuries and their families, HealthCall has joined the Brain Injury Association of Michigan (BIAMI).  The BIAMI is a non-profit organization that brings together people with brain injury, their families, friends and concerned professionals to improve the quality of life that people experience after brain injury.  The BIAMI’s Mission is to enhance the lives of those affected by brain injury through education, advocacy, research, and local support groups; and to reduce the incidence of brain injury through prevention.  More information regarding the BIAMI’s important work is available at www.biami.org.

Since 1987, HealthCall has been caring for survivors of brain injuries, including those who have suffered injuries as a result of automobile accidents and work-related incidents.  In particular, we specialize in home healthcare treatment directed towards spinal cord and closed head injured patients and other catastrophic injuries. HealthCall offers a variety of treatment services, each one designed to maximize patient recovery.  At HealthCall, a Clinical Supervisor assesses each new patient to coordinate and create an individualized care plan pursuant to the orders of the patient’s physician. As a result, our private duty division is able to service both adult and pediatric patients requiring high technical skills, including ventilator-dependent patients.  Among our Registered Nurses are specialists in: traumatic brain injuries, ventilator and tracheotomy care, wound care, neonatology, pediatrics, rehabilitation, emergency care, in-home nursing care, central line catheter care, and teaching/coordination as well as many others.  If you would like more information regarding HealthCall’s services for survivors of brain injury, please Contact HealthCall.

On Saturday, March 12, 2011, HealthCall participated in the Carnival of Care in Sterling Heights, Michigan.  The Carnival of Care is a special day of fun and celebration for survivors of catastrophic automobile accidents and their families.  The Carnival of Care was created and hosted by the CareForward Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the human spirit.  HealthCall’s carnival booth featured a basketball toss, Michigan trivia, and lots of cute teddy bears!  It was a fun and rewarding day for HealthCall’s volunteers, and all proceeds were donated to the Brain Injury Association of Michigan.  For more information regarding the annual Carnival of Care, visit www.carnivalofcare.com.  For more information regarding the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, visit www.biami.org.

Since 1987, HealthCall has specialized in home healthcare treatment directed toward spinal cord and closed head injured patients as well as other catastrophic injuries.  HealthCall’s Clinical Management Team includes Registered Nurses with an average of 30 years of nursing experience.  Our other experienced professionals include: Licensed Practical Nurses, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Certified Nurse Aides, and Home Health Aides.  Personnel, including a Registered Nurse, are on call 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

HealthCall works with No-Fault Automobile insurers as well as Medicare, Medicaid, Workers’ Compensation Insurance, and a large variety of Commercial and Managed Care insurers.  For more information, please call 1-800-991-9933 and ask to speak with a Clinical Nurse Supervisor.

Managing your blood pressure is an important component to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  Your blood pressure should be checked regularly and monitored for any changes in the systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number) values.  Therefore, it is essential to understand what is considered a normal blood pressure and what you can do to manage it and maintain a blood pressure within normal limits.

Low blood pressure is generally considered healthy, but should still be given attention to rule out any link to stress, illness or infection.  High blood pressure is especially alarming and detrimental to your health.  High blood pressure means that your heart is working harder than it should to pump blood throughout your body, which may lead to heart disease, kidney failure and stroke.

The American Heart Association defines normal blood pressure as a systolic pressure (top number) of less than 120 and a diastolic pressure (bottom number) of less than 80.  A blood pressure of 140/90 or higher is considered high and is called hypertension.

If you develop hypertension you must take action steps to decrease your blood pressure.  This may involve lifestyle changes, taking medication or both.  Please see the list below for things you can do to correct hypertension.  A systolic value between 120 and 139 and a diastolic value between 80 and 89 is considered pre-hypertension and should be corrected before it reaches hypertensive levels.  Please note: The information provided here is general.  As always, you should adhere to your physician’s orders and advice as to your particular condition.

Action Steps to Lowering Your Blood Pressure

Stop smoking

Lose weight

Exercise

Maintain a low-salt diet

Decrease caffeine intake

Decrease stress

Get sufficient rest

Accreditation through the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP) provides a reassuring seal of quality as individuals select a home health care or private duty nursing provider for themselves or loved ones. In short, accreditation ensures quality care and services.

CHAP provides an objective third-party review to ensure a home health care provider has policies and procedures compliant with current state and federal regulations and industry standards of practice. Additionally, CHAP accreditation demonstrates dedication to continuous performance improvement.

Finally, many state and federal agencies as well as private insurers recognize CHAP accreditation and approve participation in provider networks for those organizations who have demonstrated quality and adherence to high standards of care through accreditation.

HealthCall’s home care and private duty practices are both CHAP accredited. CHAP’s goal is to promote the highest standards in community health care, from management and quality, to client outcomes and long-term viability.